Interlibrary Loan (ILL) allows you to request books, microfilm, articles, and other materials not owned by the DC Public Library. This service is available to DC Public Library customers with current library accounts in good standing.
Customers are responsible for any postage, insurance, and handling charges. Shipping fees will be added to the customer’s DC Public Library account. If the lending library charges a borrowing fee, that fee will be added to the customer’s DC Public Library account as well. Fees can be paid online or in person using a debit or credit card. Materials cannot be requested from the Library of Congress.
Requests may be made for any items not owned by DC Public Library, with the following exceptions:
- TV series or feature films
- Items published or released within the past 6 months to one year (To suggest a new title for the library to purchase, please visit our Suggest a Title form. Suggestions are reviewed weekly.)
- Playaways or digital materials such as eBooks and audiobooks
- Materials held by libraries outside the United States (international interlibrary loans are not available).
Lending libraries generally restrict loans of textbooks, genealogy materials, and reference books.
Your DC Public Library card also grants reciprocal borrowing privileges at the following neighboring public library systems. We can obtain interlibrary loans from them, but you may also visit them to get a library card and borrow materials directly:
- Alexandria
- Arlington
- Fairfax County
- Falls Church
- Loudoun County
- Montgomery County
- Prince George's County
- Prince William County
